Cambridge, Boston, and three other cities unite on life sciences

5/13/2014

Today the mayors of Boston, Cambridge, Quincy, Somerville, and Braintree announced the formation of the Life Sciences Corridor. The partnership, created by Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Cambridge Mayor David Maher, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, and Braintree Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan, will focus on promoting the robust life sciences sector along the MBTA red line in the Greater Boston region. An event for the announcement was held at the Museum of Science, a middle point between the five partnering cities.

“Our cities alone perform quite well, but collaboratively, we will continue to transform the economic prospects for the life sciences sector of the Greater Boston region," said Boston Mayor Walsh. "This partnership will have immediate impacts on business development and institutional growth, and ensure the region remains an economic engine for the Commonwealth, and a top location for cutting-edge research.”

Together, the five cities represent over 460 companies within the life science industry sector. The Life Sciences Corridor will focus on attracting business from outside the region, retaining businesses within the region, and promoting cross collaboration between universities, institutions and businesses across the region. This year in San Diego, Cambridge, Boston and Quincy are attending the BIO International Convention (BIO) and coordinating outreach efforts. BIO is the world's largest gathering of biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations.

The robust life sciences industry in these cities is sustained by the skilled workforce, access to leading universities, established innovative research and development districts, the proximity of major research hospitals, and the presence of venture capital resources. Additionally, the new Corridor is naturally connected by the MBTA Red Line, which serves as an important and efficient connecting link between Cambridge, Boston, Quincy, Somerville, and Braintree.

“It is no secret that Cambridge, along with Boston, Quincy, Somerville and Braintree plays a major role in the life sciences sector in the Commonwealth. This new partnership will benefit our individual communities and the region, but most importantly will continue to foster the atmosphere necessary for innovative and breakthrough research in the life sciences arena,” said Cambridge City Manager Rich Rossi.